Darkness Rising: Blood Moon

Chapter Four: Revelation

By Mystoflare and Naoko

Lucifer

Lucifer sat bolt upright when he returned to his body, then fall back again, clutching his head with a groan. He’d forgotten the disorientation that was known to accompany the return of his spirit to his physical body, especially when he used so much power to interact with the mortal plane. After that stunt, he wasn’t about to try sending for a while.

“Kagewaki? Are your mothers back yet?” he asked the wolf nearby.

The wolf opened one eye, sending Lucifer a completely unconcerned look. That wasn’t unusual; Kagewaki rarely cared about anything that didn’t involve his immediate happiness.

“They’re not back yet, Lucifer-sama,” Mina supplied in the silence.

“Sou ka…don’t be alarmed if you see a pair of black wings with them, Mina-chan.” Lucifer tried to sit up again, slowly, and looked to see how she and the baby were doing.

Mina’s arms were empty. Lucifer glanced around before he panicked, and smiled faintly when he saw Shel curled up against Kagewaki’s side, asleep with his thumb in his mouth.

“Getting a little soft, aren’t you, Kage?”

**Like you’re one to talk.** The wolf snorted, and licked Shel’s hair to make his hair stick up.

“At least none of my pups are growing horns like your little devil,” Lucifer snickered.

**That’s their mother’s fault, not mine,** Kagewaki growled, with a roll of his golden lupine eyes.

Lucifer snickered before turning at a sound from outside. “Natsuko?” he asked cautiously.

“Lucien! Stop gnawing my ear!” came the reply.

There was a quiet thump as Kamael landed, and another as he set Janmei down. The three strolled onto the scene, Natsuko casually, as if having just come from a dinner party, despite Lucien latched to her ear with a vengeance.

Lucifer had to cough to cover up his laughter at the latter sight, then he rose and went to embrace Janmei. “Janmei-chan, we finally got you back!”

The neko smiled wanly at her husband. “Hai, it looks like it.”

Natsuko made a face at them, but carried Lucien into the tent. “Hungry, Lucien-chan?”

“Nyao.”

“’Nyao’?” Kamael asked. He looked slightly embarrassed when Lucien blew him a raspberry from Natsuko’s arms. “Is he usually like that?”

“He’s half neko, of course he is,” Natsuko snorted. “Want a bun, Lucien?”

“Bun-bun!” Lucien squeaked. Lucifer snickered at that, bringing Janmei over as well.

“You look like you could use some meat, Janmei,” Natsuko commented as she pulled out some food Lucifer had summoned earlier for Lucien and handed it to him.

Janmei blushed. “Hai, probably.”

Kamael stood to the side, watching this. He’d only known one person who could be considered ‘family’, and that was long ago. It made him a bit uncomfortable to see others being so close.

Mina stood up and held out her hand to the angel. “I’m Mina,” she said. She knew the look on his face; it was one she’d worn many times in life, and didn’t want to see on anyone else.

“Kamael,” the angel said. He hesitated for a moment, then took her hand and shook her gently, once. “I just miss my friends, and my brother, I guess.”

Mina nodded, understanding. Though she’d never known siblings, or even really parents, and had few friends, she’d recently lost two people she loved dearly. “I’m sorry,” she offered.

“Iie, I’m free of the five-fingers after so long…I’m not even sure what year it is. But at least I’m free, and that’s something, isn’t it?” Kamael looked at the family, to find Lucifer staring back him. He cleared his throat. “So…Lucifer. I suppose I’ll be going on my own way now, shall I?”

Natsuko sent Lucifer a sideways look, wondering what his reply to that would be.

“Actually,” Lucifer said, with a wink at his wife, “It might be safer for you to stay with us, for the time being. It’s dangerous to travel alone, no matter how powerful you are, with five-fingers around. At least in groups, only the stupidest would try to attack us.”

“Hmm.”

Natsuko snorted. “Some group. There’s six of us and two pups. Not to mention we’re teleporting straight home, aren’t we?”

“No,” Lucifer said, “We have to make sure someone gets to where they’ve got to go, or we’ll be dead in a year. Besides…it’s better than having Haha-ue trying to mess around with them, isn’t it?” He smiled.

Everyone gave him a blank look. Natsuko was the one to speak. “What the hell nonsense are you babbling, man?”

“We have to guide a would-be hero to do what he’s got to do. I’d rather be the one to have to goad him on, as opposed to sitting back and watching Haha-ue drive him out of his mind.”

The wolf-woman snorted. “So you go do that. Janmei and Lucien need to go home. And Mina…I doubt she wants to follow you to do that.”

“Uh-uh,” Lucifer shook his head. “You’ll be safe anyhow, but this is something I have to do. And Mina-san…I can assure you, you’ll soon be in much better hands than myself or my wives.”

“Are you saying you’re going to drag all of us along with you, Lucifer?”

“If you want. Besides, it’s safer if we’re out of the country. Just trust me on this, Natsuko, Janmei. I can explain it when we’re behind protection.”

“I’d rather go home,” Natsuko insisted through gritted teeth.

“We can’t,” Lucifer said, “The entire world is at stake in this, and I also refuse to risk you being killed should Hell be attacked. We’re going.” Lucifer made a peremptory gesture, and beckoned Kage to come and pack up the tent and items within.

“What am I, your lapdog?” Kage grumbled, before going about his business.

Natsuko, meanwhile, scowled at Lucifer, and turned her back on him.

Kamael came up to Natsuko, cautiously. “Ano, Natsuko-san?” he asked.

She peered at him over her shoulder, only one golden eye visible below her shaggy red hair, creating an eerie effect. “Nani?”

“I don’t know anything about Lucifer, I admit…but I don’t think he’d make you go somewhere you didn’t want to, unless he really cared,” Kamael ran a hand through his hair. “I think he wants to tell you something, but he can’t. Not yet, at least.”

Natsuko snorted, and shrugged, irritated at Lucifer, but not wanting to offend Kamael.

Kamael sighed to himself. Well, it would take time, but she’d understand, he hoped.

Morning saw the family, along with Kamael, Mina and Shel, already having left their campsite behind some time ago. They crossed an arid landscape alongside large lumbering animals, just being warmed up by the rays of the morning sun, and the occasional smaller creature scampering by.

At the very least, the desert didn’t seem to be endless in all directions. Just to the west, there was greenery, and the landscape was dotted with small towns. Towering above them was a crystalline city, no doubt the capital of whatever country they were in, or heading to.

“Where are we?” Janmei asked in an awed near-whisper.

“Ardhann-Shyoko,” Kamael supplied, “I heard of it, especially that city. There’s a lot of rumors about the present ruler.”

“Rumors we’re going to help out a bit,” Lucifer smiled, like a cat who had a lifetime’s supply of cream, “That ruler is going to need a bit of help, and very soon.”
“What kind of rumors?”

“That he’s one of us.” Natsuko answered this time, meaning of course that the rumors were the ruler of Ardhann-Shyoko was a god.

Lucifer chuckled. “And no doubt a very pretty one, I imagine.” He looked to Natsuko to see her reaction to the idea of him finding another man attractive.

The oukami gave him a perfectly vicious glare. “Stop it.”

Lucifer grinned innocently, showing off his fangs in a gesture that said ‘Of course, dear. But I can if I want’.

**Are you trying to piss me off?** Natsuko growled mentally, to Lucifer alone. Janmei sighed, next to her, and decided to ignore the whole thing.

“Gomen nasai, Natsu-chan,” Lucifer looked innocently at her.

“Bite me,” she snapped, not interested. She wasn’t about to let Lucifer get away with something that blatant with an insincere apology.

Lucifer was about to shoot back an answer when he was stopped by a crossbow bolt landing barely a hair in front of his toe.

“Fuck,” Natsuko swore.

“Natsuko!” Janmei squeaked, scandalized, before Natsuko shoved her against the crystal wall to keep her out of the line of fire. She clutched Lucien to her, shuddering at the sound, and the sight of Natsuko pulling a golden sword out of thin air.

Behind a metal-reinforced door of some sort, a white face framed in rainbow-colored hair and bearing gold-green eyes peered out at them from under an opened helmet. The armor, what could be seen of it, was definitely metallic, and colored in various shades of green.

“State your name and business, or leave. And if you have any five-fingers with you, you’d best either kill them, or prove they’re not enemies,” the figure said. Enough of the voice was heard that the green-armored figure might well be considered male to the party.

Natsuko stepped to the forefront. “I’m Natsuko.” She gestured to her companions in turn. “My lifemates, Lucifer and Janmei, and our friends, Mina and Kamael. There’s two pups in the group. One’s a five-finger, but he’s not even a year yet.”

The green-clad figure seemed to blink, if the flashing of gold-green was any indication. “Natsuko? As in the Queen and goddess of Hell, Natsuko?”

Natsuko held the hilt of her sword up to the door. “Say hello to the Sword of Hell, my friend.”

“Hn,” the green knight - there were no other guards or warriors who used such color-themed armor - turned to someone behind him. “Ceih! Open the doors, they’re friends…sort of.”

One of the doors opened to allow them in, held open by a red-eyed young man in warrior’s garb, complete with a sword at his hip. Ceih bowed to them as they entered. “Forgive us, Natsuko-sama, but we’ve had…problems with intruders, as of late.”

“That doesn’t surprise me, with the five-fingers the way they are.” Natsuko ushered Janmei and Mina in, each carrying their respective sons (Shel was asleep, Lucien was looking around at the city, wide-eyed; until recently, he hadn’t been outside Hell’s capitol, much less in another country).

“If possible, I’d like to ask that we have an audience with your Lord or Lady. Inform them that the rulers of Hell wish to speak with them, of a most urgent matter,” Lucifer said to Arjin. His tone was one of someone who wasn’t going to let anything stop him from what he had to do.

“Of course, Lucifer-dono,” Arjin bowed politely. “Please, follow us. We’ll be your guards to the palace.”

The two men led the party into the city, though slightly wary of their company. No one who might be called friend was turned away, not now.

Kokuen

“You need to eat some of these. Yes, they taste awful, at first. But it’ll help your wings heal faster, along with any other injuries you might have.” Kokuen held the sour little berries out to the angel.

Giving him a dirty look, Houseki took a handful and crammed them into her mouth, likely to avoid the taste as much as possible. Kokuen smiled at her.

“How about some stew? Given it’s nearing nightfall, I’m sure there’s some venison and soups cooking over the fires right now. And it’s always nice to have warm food and company in this weather.”

Houseki shuddered away cold, and the taste of the berries, and nodded. She wrapped her arms around herself as she followed Kokuen. "You're a gypsy, Kokuen-dono?"

“Hai, I am,” Kokuen said, then paused for a moment. “Just call me Kokuen, ne? I’m not royalty or something.”

Houseki blushed, but nodded. "I know what gypsies are, but I haven't heard much, up in Heaven. You travel in groups, ne?"

“Hai, caravans, they’re called,” Kokuen said, picking up a few wooden bowls from a small table. “And we’re not necessarily related to the people in the same caravan. If anything, we’re encouraged to travel and foster in caravans other than the one we’re born into. We learn more, that way, and it prevents too much inbreeding.”

"Were you born into this one?" Houseki paused before likewise picking up a bowl.

“Me?” he asked. “I might have been, but I don’t remember a whole lot before the age of eight, so I can’t really say. Well, even if I was, I wouldn’t be worried. Demon bloodlines tend to be really bizarre.”

Houseki nodded, taking in every word in silence.

“You’re not bothered by that, are you?” Kokuen looked to her. “Me being a demon, I mean.”

Houseki blinked in surprise. "Why would I be? You saved me, am I in any position to be judgmental after that?"

Kokuen smiled. “I suppose not. It’s just…I’d heard a lot about angels in Heaven, none of it very good.”

Houseki cocked her head. "Like what?"

“Well…I’m sure you’re not one of these, but they say angels created by that five-finger god will go into the world looking for demons. I’ve heard of friends of mine, being tortured, stoned to death, even burnt alive,” Kokuen shook his head, then smiled at Houseki. “But you already seem different from those kinds of angels…I think you’re a real angel, born from magic.”

Houseki had wrapped her wings around herself again when Kokuen looked back, and was shivering under the white feathers. "It's true. God's angels did all that and more." She looked on the verge of tears.

“Houseki?” Kokuen put a hand on her shoulder, a look of concern clearly written on his face. “A-ano…if you ever want to tell me…”

She held his gaze for a minute before shaking her head and turning away. "Don't be so nice. I-I can't handle it."

“Houseki, I want to help you, if I can,” Kokuen said honestly.

"I know...I just don't know what you can do."

“I don’t know either, but I want to at least try,” he smiled at her. “When you feel ready to tell me, I’ll be listening.”

Houseki went a faint pink, and nodded. "Ano, dinner?" The demon laughed.

“Hai, I’ll get it for you,” he offered, taking her bowl gently.

A while later, he came back with two bowls filled with stew, as well as a few small bags of spices. “Try it plain first, you can add spices if you want.”

Houseki nodded, taking one of the bowls. Slowly, color returned to her face, which had gone back to being quite pale as soon as Kokuen left to get the food. She just sat for a moment, clutching the bowl and letting the steam warm her face. She breathed in, relaxing fully for the first time since her fall.

Kokuen sat next to her, and watched her take a taste of the broth. He smiled faintly before taking a sip of his own. With one of his long claw-like nails, he speared a potato slice and nibbled on it, not really hungry, but it gave him something to do.

Houseki was staring at him when he looked back over, as if she thought he was being a bit savage about his food. Kokuen blinked at her.

“N-Nani? Daijobu ka?”

"Nothing," she muttered, looking back to her soup and sipping quietly.

“Hn,” Kokuen said to himself. “How’s the soup?”

"Ah, good." Houseki smiled faintly at him. "Who made it?"

“That was Sellia…she’s away at the moment, I believe, but you’ll probably see her around,” Kokuen smiled back. “She’s…ano…kind of Rociel’s sister, and Rociel, you’ll see around a lot.” He decided not to mention that Rociel would be likely to hit on her, if he hadn't already made it with that girl from the palace.

Houseki nodded, trying to take in the information without anything to really attach it to. She couldn't think of anything to say; all of her friends and family in Heaven were long gone, or dead, more likely... "I have...had..." She shook her head. "Have a brother, I suppose, if he's still alive."

“Hontou? What’s his name?” Kokuen raised an eyebrow with interest. He didn’t know any of his family, though he suspected a name somewhere deep inside had some meaning akin to family ties.

Houseki took a moment to think. It had been so long, and the past century and a half of her existence had been spent trying to forget everything, including herself. "Kamael...I think."
“Kamael?” Kokuen blinked. It was just coincidence, wasn’t it, that the name in his mind was the same Houseki just gave him?

Houseki nodded, silent. She didn't know what fate had befallen her sibling, whether he had been killed after her capture, whether he had likewise been taken prisoner and was in Heaven still, being tortured, as she had spent her past years, or...There was still the small glimmer of hope that he had escaped, sooner or later.

“Kamael…I know that name, somehow…”

Houseki blinked at him, lowering her soup bowl. "Nani?"

Kokuen shook his head. “Iie, nan demo nai. It just…sounds familiar, like I heard it somewhere. Maybe I did.” He smiled gently at the angel. “Ne, Houseki-chan?”

Houseki looked away. "Hai, maybe." Inwardly, she thought there was no way that could be true.

Kokuen pat her shoulder gently, then looked when the doors to the wide open yard opened. “Ne, mite. It looks like the Emperor’s going to have visitors.”

Houseki looked up, watching as the small group came through the doors.

Kokuen could recognize one of them immediately, it could only be Lucifer, the Lord of Hell. The redhead woman with him was obviously Natsuko, the infamous goddess-queen of Hell. There was also a nekoyoukai woman, from the scent of her…Janmei, was she? As well as another woman, thin, with green hair, and a child in her arms. Janmei was carrying a young cat-eared boy with wings, apparently Lucifer’s son. And behind them…

He blinked at the sight of the angel. Seeing one angel in a lifetime was considered fortunate, but two was almost unheard of. Yet, here was one, though with black wings instead of white, the beauty of his face leaving no doubt as to his race.

Next to him, Houseki gasped. She dropped her bowl as her hands flew to her mouth. Ignoring Kokuen, she took off towards the group, her feet hardy touching the ground. "KAMAEL!"

Oh, this is shaping up to be an interesting night…Kokuen smiled, and eventually got up to get a closer look at the reunion.

Tears in her blue eyes, Houseki threw herself at her brother, not minding the rest of the entourage, ignoring politeness.

“N-nani?” Kamael, as he was called, blinked at the angel with her arms around his neck. He blinked. “H-Houseki?”

She was crying, her tears falling into his hair. "Hai!" she sobbed.

“Houseki!” he laughed, his eyes starting to tear up as he embraced his sister in kind.

Kokuen smiled, then turned to go somewhere else. He had a feeling this was something private.


Horitamo

Horitamo blinked at the sight of a pair embracing as Arjin led him out. A reunion of mates, maybe, or even family in other ways. He smiled faintly before looking to the rest of the group.

Natsuko stepped forward to introduce them, as before. "Amaterasu Natsuko." She introduced herself with her family name, something she didn't do often, and held out her hand to Horitamo. "The young Horitamo, I take it?"

“Ah, hai,” Horitamo smiled as he took her hand. “An honor to meet you, Natsuko-sama. This is my Rialla date, Nariko.” He said, motioning to the two-spirits who was keeping him company.

Natsuko looked mildly surprised. "It is Rialla, isn't it? I'd forgotten, with all the running around."

“Will you be staying with us for the festivities, then? I imagine it would be a bit of trouble traveling home. And we have more than enough accommodations for all of you.”

"Well, I'd rather get home..." Natsuko trailed off, saying it as if through gritted teeth, and glanced to her husband.

“I wouldn’t suggest traveling right now,” Horitamo said, his expression one of seriousness. “We’ve had reports of travelers being attacked and even killed along the roads, especially at night. While I’m sure you’d be able to chase them off, I’d rather not risk it.”

Natsuko snorted, and muttered something about conspiracies. Janmei patted her shoulder. "It can't be all bad, Natsuko," she whispered.

"Hmph." The oukami scowled faintly, fingering the hilt of her sword, which was hung on her belt, now. "All right, until the end of Rialla, at least." She smirked at Horitamo. "And I want in on the festivities, youngling."

“Hai, of course you can, Natsuko-sama,” Horitamo said, ignoring the ‘youngling’ comment. “It would be an honor to have the rulers of Hell as guests.”

Natsuko smiled innocently at him, sensing his irritation. "When you're as old as I am, you reserve the right to call anyone under the age of a thousand, at least, anything you want," she snickered.

Janmei face-faulted, and stepped forward. "Ah, Horitamo-sama, not to rush the conversation along, but the boys could do with a nap..."

“NYAO!”

“Or just someone to play with,” Lucifer added. “Lucien’s nocturnal, after all.”

"Not lately," Janmei muttered.

Natsuko carefully lifted Lucien out of her arms, and cradled him. "Well, maybe we can find a playmate for Lucien here." The cat-eared boy giggled.

“It’s alright, there are plenty of rooms still available,” Horitamo turned a bit to where some of the servants were setting out food. “Estella!”

“Hai, Horitamo-sama?”

Nariko smiled at Lucien. "How old is he?"

“Lucien is six!” Lucien meowed. He looked at Nariko. “Miss Purple-hair has loooong hair!” he announced.

Nariko face-faulted, but didn't correct him. "Hai, I do. My name is Nariko."

“Oyasumi nasai, Nariko-sama,” Lucien waved. With that, he passed out cold in Natsuko’s arms. His father chuckled.

“I think he needs sleep more than play, much as he refuses to admit it.”

Natsuko smirked. "He might not be oukami in blood, but..."

“Well, he’s got an oukami mother, I imagine it’ll come through regardless of blood influence, ne?” Lucifer smiled at her before turning to Horitamo. “We appreciate the hospitality, Horitamo-san, though I also hope we might be of some help to you in these troubled times.”

"I'm sure we will be. We're not exactly pansies." Natsuko grinned, showing her large canine teeth. The effect was unsettling; she looked so maternal, holding Lucien, until one got to her open mouth and glowing gold eyes.

Horitamo tried to smile, though his faint nervousness showed through. “Hai, I’m sure. I can only hope your help won’t be needed.”

“Horitamo-sama!”

The emperor turned at the sound of his servant’s voice. Estella came running up the assembly, looking reasonably worried as she approached.

“Horitamo-sama! The guards at the city gate reported five-fingers approaching from the north and east. There’s an enormous mass of them, many hands of round-ears! And based on what survivors tell, they’re coming right for us!”

"Looks like we will be fighting after all," Natsuko sighed. She handed the sleeping Lucien to his mother, and looked at Estella. "You're a servant here, right?" She knew she probably shouldn't be interrupting the exchange between her and Horitamo, but she did carry seniority, to some extent, and she was more worried that the vulnerable members of her family got to safety.

“I’m sorry, Natsuko-sama, but I think you should stay here with your family. Estella can take you to the palace, but I should go deal with this menace.” Horitamo’s look told anyone looking that he wasn’t in the mood to argue.

Natsuko growled, bristling like an animal. "With all due respect, Horitamo, I don't think that's wise."

“Natsuko, calm down,” Lucifer put a hand on her arm, “It’s a territory thing, like real wolves. He needs to defend his land.”

"My family is in his land, and I need to defend them," Natsuko retorted.

Lucien woke up and started crying. Janmei began to rock and shush him, but her attempts were unsuccessful, and Natsuko finally took him, cradling him as if he were still an infant.

Someone besides Janmei might have been insulted or jealous, but Janmei was used to it by now; she knew Natsuko was more experienced in raising children (Lucien was her first, after all), and so, she was willing to defer to the older woman… "Bad dream, Lucien?"

“Kowai ningen!” Lucien shrieked.

An explosion from the city walls erupted into the air, shaking the ground and knocking everyone to the ground.

“Estella!” Horitamo barked at the serving girl, “Get them to the palace, now! Arjin, you and Ceih come with me, we’re going to try to drive them off or get rid of them!”

Natsuko came back up quickly, ready to shove Lucien off to Janmei and go with them, but the neko grabbed her sleeve and gave her a plaintive look, effectively rooting her to the spot while she fought down her natural battle urge. "All right," she sighed, shifting Lucien onto her hip and following Estella.

“Nariko-dono, are you coming?” Estella turned to the two-spirits.

Nariko glanced after Horitamo, and shook his head. "Iie. I'll go with Horitamo-sama, to make sure he doesn't run headfirst into anything." This earned a laugh from Lucifer, and a faint scowl from Horitamo.

“Thank you for your support, Nariko,” the emperor said, a faint hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Nariko looked genuinely hurt, and turned away. "Fine. Maybe I won't go!"

“Nariko, I was kidding. You’d be more than welcome.”

"I'm fine here," Nariko sniffed.

Lucifer mumbled something about ‘moodiness’ and ‘that time of the month’, which earned him a hefty punch upside the head from Nariko.

**Men don't have that,** Nariko growled mentally.

“Masculine men, no. Male-bodied two-spirits, who knows?” Lucifer smirked, then backed off before Nariko could hit him again. Thankfully, Horitamo stepped between them.

“Stop it, both of you,” he said, “Estella, take Lucifer-dono’s family inside. If anything happens, get them to the underground tunnels that lead out of the city.”

“Hai!”

“I’m going to personally deal with this. And I fully intend to come back.”

Nariko's eyes widened, and he grabbed the emperor's sleeve as he turned away. **Horitamo-sama...** He trailed off, unable to sort his emotions out enough to even send Horitamo just those, much less words.

Horitamo smiled at his companion. “I’m coming back, Nariko. Don’t worry.” He gently hugged the purple-haired man, letting him go after a moment before he went.

Lucifer looked to Nariko, smirking. “You know he’s going to get in over his head, don’t you?”

Nariko gave Lucifer a dirty look, tears just stinging his eyes, but kept his mouth shut. It wasn't worth it to take the Prince's bait.

“Nariko! He’s not trying to bait you! Go on, go after Horitamo-sama!” Estella made a face at him, hands on her hips.

Nariko scowled deeper at Lucifer, and turned away. "I trust you can keep things in order, Estella," he said, his voice betraying no emotion either way. On Estella's nod of confirmation, he took off at a sprint after Horitamo, stopping briefly to pull of the cumbersome overrobe he was wearing, leaving just a purple and gold pantsuit that was at least reasonably suitable for fighting. He tossed the robe back to Estella, who caught it, and resumed his jog after Horitamo. "Horitamo-sama!"

Horitamo paused in his following Arjin and Ceih, smiling faintly when he caught sight of Nariko. “Hai!”

“Rewards to any who slaughter the beasts which are fat with child! And especially the young ones!” Alexandra shouted to the men.

“No!” a young woman struggled to get away. “Not my baby! Please!” In the grip of one of the men, an infant wailed.

“Kill it, now!”

Before the man could do anything, however, a spray of blood flew from his mouth before he collapsed to the ground, the baby flying out of his hand as he did. Thankfully, the mother caught her child, and looked up to see who saved them.

“Aresanjura!” Horitamo snarled, pointing his bloody sword at the five-finger woman. “You certainly would have the gall to show your face around here again, and in the company of your breeding partners, no doubt!”

“Only to take what is rightfully ours, heathen!”

While Horitamo faced down with the traitorous Human, Nariko turned to the woman to make sure she and the baby were all right, and led her away from the five-fingers, punching one that tried to stop him and sending the ugly man flying.

“What makes you think this world belongs only to your self-destructive species? Most of us have been here long before your ancestors walked on two legs,” Horitamo asked, in a voice that was deceptively calm. Alexandra immediately flew into a rage.

“Blasphemy!” she snarled, like an animal, “God made us as we are, in His image! This world was made for us, and no point-eared demons are keeping us from our Promised Land!”

“If it truly was, you’d have already been living here, without having to destroy the people and land as you move further on in. You had your Land, and you destroyed it, along with millions of your own kind, because they were ‘tainted’. You’re not doing the same here.”

Horitamo’s mouth twitched as Alexandra’s snarl grew in volume. He heard a sound behind him and, adjusting his grip on his sword, thrust his blade back into the soft, blubbery flesh of another five-finger man without turning.

“Leave, Aresanjura.”

Next to Horitamo, Nariko prepared himself for battle.

“I don’t think so.” Gesturing to the only man who was left alive, she smirked at them. “Maybe we can’t get it right now, but we can certainly make sure you’re in no condition to interfere with God’s grand design!”

As she spoke, the man pulled off his cloak to reveal a row of red sticks strapped to his body. A device that seemed to be counting down was attached to him, and a bone-like device in his hand bore a red knob at its top. “For God! May He have no mercy on your heathen souls!”

With a press of the red knob, the man seemed to explode. Horitamo and Nariko both had to turn away as blood, entrails, sinew and bone flew in every direction.

“Die in agony, demons!” Alexandra shouted at them as she ran. Horitamo was about to go after her when the ground started to shake violently.

"W-what's going on?" Nariko cried in confusion.

“Earthquake?” Horitamo said. Then his ears picked up a faint rumbling, that slowly got louder, like thunder. There was only one phenomena on that did that. “No…land-tsunami!”
Sure enough, partway to the horizon, there was a dust-colored cloud that seemed to be rolling forward, and rising as it went.

Nariko's eyes widened, and he struggled to maintan his balance. The place where he had been raised had no such phenomena, natural or otherwise, so this was alien to his experience.

“Nariko! Take the air, now!”

Nariko hovered above the ground and held out his arms to Horitamo. "Not alone!"

Before Horitamo could order him to get away, the ground shook again, and this time, part of the earth fell away under the Emperor’s feet, just as the land-tsunami wave reached them. Nariko tried to get to his friend, but the wall of air from the wave, super-compressed as it was, threw him for some considerable distance before he landed on the ground. He covered his head as the crest of the debris-wave passed over him, and when the sound seemed to be fading into the distance, he raised his head to see.

"Horitamo-sama?" He looked around, frantic, but didn't catch any sight of the emperor anywhere. **Horitamo-sama!** he sent desperately, pulling himself above the ground and using the advantage of an aerial view to search.

Under the surface of the cracked earth, Horitamo was trying to get his bearings.

Despite most Gandahrahns having sharper senses than Humans, or True Humans, his eyes met only total, inky blackness. This restricted him to his other senses, and he tried to move. That was when pain shot up his leg.

Groping blindly in the darkness, he found his leg and followed it to find his ankle pinned between two stones of indeterminate size. Based on the pain, he suspected his ankle might well be broken.

It might help even a bit if I could see…if only there was light in here…

Suddenly, a blazing white radiance seemed to explode soundlessly into the small space, momentarily blinding Horitamo. When his eyes adjusted to the new light, he found it coming from his own two hands. He couldn’t help a cry of surprise, both physically and mentally.

Nariko turned immediately from where he had been searching a ways away, and followed the weak signal from Horitamo. **Horitamo-sama!** he tried again. Between the cracks in a pile of rubble, rays of white light pierced the hazy air.

**Light…**

**Did you make that?** Nariko couldn't hide his shock as he landed, half-stumbling on the rubble, and ran to the light.

Horitamo looked up in the small enclosure on hearing Nariko’s mind-voice. **I don’t know how, but I think I did…** Shaking off his surprise, he realized he had to get his trapped limb free. Looking at the placement of the rocks, he frowned as he saw they were far too large for him to move by his own power, and the angle between the boulders was far too narrow for him to wedge his sword into. Still, stubbornness being what it was, he threw his weight against the upper stone in a futile attempt to move it. All it got him with a bruised shoulder.

"I'll get you out!" Nariko called down as he grabbed rocks one at a time and, with his superior strength, flung them over his shoulder. His pace quickened when he saw a bit of Horitamo's robes.

**Just be careful, you never know if any of those round-ears are still around!**

**I don't care if they are, I'm not leaving you under there!** Nariko let out his breath when he uncovered Horitamo's arm. **Can you move your hand?**

Horitamo breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the opening, however small it might be. He reached his hand up towards the light, trying to get his hand through it. **I see the opening.**

**Don't move too much, or you'll cause an avalanche.** So saying, Nariko carefully went back to work, until he had moved enough rocks to release Horitamo's head and torso. "Daijobu ka?"

“Un,” Horitamo half-grunted with uncharacteristic roughness. “Mostly, my leg’s stuck, though.”

"Hang on, I'll get you out." Nariko pulled a few rocks away from the side of the leg in question, and dug deeper, smiling a bit when he pulled out the rock that had undoubtedly been holding Horitamo's leg in place. "How's that?"

“Arigatou, Nariko.” Horitamo struggled out of the hole, hissing faintly in pain at his injured leg. He unhooked his sheathed sword from his belt to use as a walking stick. Before he had the chance to take a step, though, Nariko had grabbed him around the middle and taken to the air with him. The strain showed in his face after only a few minutes, but he seemed determined to get Horitamo close enough to home to get help, at least.

“Nariko, let me walk!” Horitamo scowled faintly at him. “You can’t carry us both back!”

"Isn't your leg twisted?"

“It’s sprained, possibly broken.”

"So you're not walking!"

Horitamo sighed. He knew better than to argue when the half-Faerie was in a mood like this. “Hai,” he reluctantly conceded.

"We're almost there..."

“Five-fingers? Past the country’s border sentries?”

Horitamo nodded at his servant. “Hai, and very likely, they’ll return to try again, whatever they have in mind.”

“We can’t stay here, then!” Estella said. “They’ll try to wipe us out for sure!”

“There is something you can do…” Everyone looked over to Lucifer, holding his son and rocking the little boy to sleep.

"What's that?" Janmei looked worried, understandably, and Natsuko put an arm around her shoulders.

“The Lost City. Suijin’noyani, isn’t it?” Lucifer asked, looking to Horitamo. At the Emperor’s nod, he continued. “There’s a weapon there, which only the ruler can wield. A powerful weapon, as old as the world from which the five-fingers came. The Sword of Flame was used to keep five-fingers out of the ancient Garden of Earthly Delights, when they were banished from it, and it might now keep five-fingers out of your country forever, Horitamo-san.”

"And where are we supposed to find that?" Nariko grumbled, irritated. Elizara, one of the palace healers, was bustling about him, tending to his strained wings. The healer spoke up.

“I know where that is,” Elizara said, “The Lost City is in the Seishou-Gwydian Mountains…along the western border with Kazenokizu. If you need to go there, I’m sure Dai’inu-sama and Kazehana-sama would let you go with them when they return home.”

"I'm going," Nariko automatically replied.

“Iie!” Horitamo stood up, despite the faint pain to his leg. “I won’t allow any of you to put yourself in danger. Not even a Rainbow Knight, Arjin,” Horitamo caught the Green Knight’s look, and cut him off before he spoke.

“Horitamo-sama!” Estella protested, scowling faintly. “Listen to us! We’re your servants and followers, but most of all, we’re your friends. We swore loyalty to you, and come what may, we intend to follow you!”

Nariko also stood up, shaking Elizara off, and squared off with the emperor, looking him right in the eye. "I'm the crown prince of the Faeries, and I won't be left behind if I say I won't, Horitamo."

The Emperor looked at the violet-haired prince, contemplating his options. Evetnually, he gave. “Alright. Nariko, you’ll come with me, as well as Estella, Elizara, Arjin…”

"Me." Natsuko stepped forward. Lucifer blinked.

“Natsuko-chan…”

"Take Janmei and Lucien home in the meantime. I'll be all right."

Lucifer sighed. “Alright…be careful?”

She smirked at him. "Just who do you think I am?"

“The patron Goddess of Hell, and the first wolf with a cult of her own,” Lucifer grinned.

"Exactly. Do you honestly think I'll be careful?" She grinned playfully back.

“Yet, I seriously doubt it’ll happen so well…” Lucifer said, his gaze suddenly unfocusing and his voice becoming more serious than he was usually known to be.

Natsuko gave him a dark look. **Just worry about getting Janmei and Lucien home.**

“Hai. Oukami-chan,” Lucifer smiled at his wife, wrapping an arm around Janmei and pulling her in.

Nariko didn't know why he was here. He had been through this in his head at least a dozen times on his way down the hall. It really wouldn't make any difference if Horitamo knew his true feelings now, would it? And yet, he wasn't turning away. With a sigh, he lifted his hand to knock on the emperor's bedroom door, only for it to slide open. "Ah--Horitamo-sama..."

“Nariko?” The Emperor blinked. He certainly hadn’t been expecting anyone at his door so late at night. The festivities had tapered down for the night, and those who were traveling were packing and making preparations. Not to mention he didn’t sense anyone outside his room, but that could have easily been distraction.

"I-I came to talk to you," Nariko admitted, holding his hands together in front of himself and clearing his throat after he said it.

“Ah, sou ka?” he blinked, opening the door a bit more, “Then come in, please, Nariko.”

"Ah...thank you." Nariko stepped in, brushing his hair aside in nervousness. "Horitamo-sama, I..."

“Hai?”

"I have to say this before we leave, in case something happens." He fiddled with his robe sleeve in one hand. "Horitamo-sama, I love you."

Golden eyes blinked in surprise. “Nariko…”

A crash from the hallway interrupted anything he was going to say. Nariko looked up to see the door swing open, revealing a scantily-clad, and...was the Queen of Hell visiting the Emperor of Ardhann-Shyoko drunk?

Natsuko grinned innocently. "Sorry. Dropped a glass."

Horitamo could be heard coughing slightly, though it was anyone’s guess as to from shock or trying to keep from laughing. “Natsuko-sama,” he said gently, “I think you should turn in for the night. We’ve got to leave at mid-day.”

"Pft." She waved a hand dismissively. "Midday, ha! I only need a few hours of sleep, boyo." She stepped into the room, not waiting to be invited, and slung an arm over the nearby emperor's shoulders. "Didn't interrupt anything, did I?" Nariko just glared at her, silently trying to run her off.

“Actually,” he said, gently pulling her arm off his shoulders, “We were having a conversation. A private conversation.”

"Oh, I was waiting for this." Natsuko grinned as if it was all a fun, entertaining game, which to someone of her age, it likely was. She let Horitamo drop her arm. "Carry on, carry on."

A sigh. “Natsuko-sama, please…”

"What, were you about...Ooh." She smirked. "Naughty, naughty, Horitamo-sama." She snickered and winked at him, while Nariko burned red and huffed.

"We were not!"

“Natsuko-sama, why don’t you go to Lucifer-dono and Janmei-sama?” Horitamo sighed, one hand at his face to cover his embarrassment.

"Because they are."

“Natsuko-sama,” Horitamo’s tone became serious, “Please. If you don’t leave right now, I’ll have to send for Arjin to escort you out. And he’s not at all gentle.”

Natsuko made a face at him. "Lots of fun you are." She left, anyhow. "I'll find out sooner or later," she called over her shoulder.

Nariko's face was shadowed under his hair as he looked straight down. "Lush," he growled.

“Drunk,” Horitamo agreed. He looked back to Nariko, his eyes betraying nothing readable. “Nariko?”

Nariko's face quickly colored once Horitamo's gaze was on him again. "I should go."

A firm hand reached out and grabbed the two-spirits by the arm before he could go. “Nariko, matte.”

He blinked. "W-what?"

“Thank you…for telling me.” Horitamo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I wish I could tell you I felt the same for you…but honestly, I don’t know exactly what I feel.”

"Hai...I...understand." Nariko nodded and tried to leave again. He didn't, really. He had loved Horitamo from the beginning, he didn't understand how one could not know love, if one felt it. Which must mean Horitamo didn't...not for him, at least.

“Nariko?” he sighed, “Nariko, tomorrow, when we go…I would like you to stay with me.”

"Stay...what do you mean?" He turned back, hopeful.

“Share my horse with me. I would rather have your company than to be alone. After all,” he smiled, “You’re my dearest friend here.”

Nariko blushed deeper, touched, even if they weren't the words he had been hoping for. "Thank you, Horitamo-sama..."

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you for sure,” he said, bringing a hand up to gently brush a lock of violet hair from the Prince’s cheek, “But I have so many thoughts and feelings in my head, I don’t think I’ll know myself until they’re all sorted out.”

Nariko smiled. "It's all right," he assured Horitamo. "Good night."

“Good night, Nariko.”